Modi set to leave for G20 summit, to meet Chinese President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Argentina on Wednesday to take part in the 13th G20 meeting in Buenos Aires during which he will have several bilateral meetings, including with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In his departure statement, Modi said he will highlight the need for reformed a multilateralism which reflects contemporary realities and can effectively strengthen collective action for global good.

He said there is a serious need to strengthen international cooperation and enhance coordinated action against fugitive economic offenders and financing of terrorism.

The prime minister said that emerging economies, which played a major role in reviving growth in the global economy after the financial crisis, were today facing unprecedented economic and technological challenges.

The summit will deliberate on the present situation of the global economy and trade, international financial and tax systems, the future of work, women empowerment, infrastructure and sustainable development.

Modi said G20 has strived to promote stable and sustainable global growth and the objective was of particular significance for developing countries and emerging economies such as India, which is the fastest-growing large economy in the world.

He said India's contribution to global economic growth and prosperity underlines its commitment to "Building Consensus for Fair and Sustainable Development", which is the theme of the summit.

"I look forward to meeting leaders from other G20 countries to review the work of G20 in the last 10 years of its existence and chart the ways and means to meet the new and upcoming challenges of the coming decade," he said.

During the meeting Modi is expected to highlight the risks posed by oil price volatility and urge more countries to join the International Solar Alliance.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters earlier that issues related to constructive reform of the WTO will be on the agenda.

He said India's interest is that the G20 summit is not hijacked by the single issue of trade, whether between two countries or otherwise.

The summit is also expected to deliberate on agriculture sector reform and the challenges of climate change.

Asked about the agenda of the Modi-Xi meeting, Gokhale said the purpose is to build mutual trust and understanding. It will be fourth meeting between the two leaders in the past seven months.

On a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump, Gokhale said the External Affairs Ministry was working on various bilateral meetings.

He said a meeting between Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron is also being worked out.

Modi would also meet the United Nations Secretary General, the presidents of Argentina and Chile, the German Chancellor and the prime ministers of Spain and the Netherlands.